Can I be compelled to disclose my information source as a journalist?

The term press freedom embraces also an unrestrained right of newsmen to gather information as it is incidental to the freedom of the press as a result of their constitutional rights to receive ideas without interference.

Interestingly, this issue has been contested in the court. The court held in the case of Oyegbemi and Others v. Attorney-General of the Federation among others that:

No person, be he an editor, reporter or publisher of newspaper can be compelled to disclose his

source of information for any matter published by that person and non-disclosure cannot be

contempt of court. This is subject to interest of justice, national security, public safety, order,

morality, welfare of persons or prevention of disorder or crime. Consequently, the right to withhold information is like all other freedoms, not absolute.